Krack explains Fallows' departure as Technical Director

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has explained that the recent exit of Dan Fallows, who stepped down from his role as Technical Director, is a natural result of the squad's performances in 2024.

Fallows moved from Red Bull to the Silverstone team back in 2022 and was a driving force behind their remarkable run of form last season which saw former world champion Fernando Alonso return to the podium on a number of occasions.

However, performances in 2024 haven't replicated the highs of 2023 and earlier this month it was confirmed Fallows would be leaving his role. While his future at Aston Martin is unclear, he will remain with the group as they prepare for the arrival of design supremo Adrian Newey, who is another figure to have switched over from the Milton Keynes outfit.

Ahead of what could be another tough race for Alonso and his team mate Lance Stroll in Qatar, Krack was asked about the reasons behind the sudden departure of Fallows, who has been at the forefront of the Aston Martin project.

Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas talk to the crowd ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 29, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Alonso has scored 62 points this season, compared to Stroll's 24

“The only thing that matters is the result and the performance at the end,” the team boss said. “If the performance is not there, there is change – that is something normal in our business.

“It is not different in any professional sport. If the performance doesn’t come then the team decides to make changes, and this is the case.”

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Aston Martin have experienced a dramatic slump in their results since their strong start to 2023, when they finished in the top three eight times – they have finished no higher than fifth this year.

Lance Stroll driving the (18) Aston Martin AMR24 Mercedes on track during Sprint Qualifying at Lusail International Circuit on November 29, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Aston Martin are focusing on making significant gains under the new regulations in 2026

Since then, struggles to implement effective upgrades have left them in a relative no man’s land – they sit a distant fifth in the constructors’ standings, a lonely 36 points away from the exhilarating battle for P6, and an unassailable 339 points behind Mercedes.

Krack touched on the team’s recent difficulties as he said: “The surprises come when you try to upgrade the car and you do not see the performance improvement.

“That is a surprise because you want to improve it and it doesn’t improve, then you have to obviously question how you have done it and if you should have done it differently. Nobody wants to upgrade the car with stuff that doesn’t work.”